A WARWICKSHIRE grandad is celebrating the 80th birthday of his treasured motorbike by embarking on a fund-raising challenge.

David Smith, aged, 57, of Clifton on Dunsmore, near Rugby, will ride his 1921 Scott Standard across three counties to raise money for a new youth worker at three local churches.

He hopes to raise hundreds of pounds in sponsorship for the 80-mile challenge on Sunday, October 7, which will begin at St Mary's Church in Clifton and will take him through motorcycle test routes in Warwickshire, Northamptonshire and Oxfordshire.

The cash will help fund a youth worker, former Lawrence Sheriff School pupil James Simister, at the Clifton church, The Good Shepherd at Newton and St Andrew's, Rugby.

Mr Smith said: "Often, when people's bikes reach this age, they use it as an excuse for a big party but I wanted to do something a bit more useful.

"It's a big challenge for a rider and an old bike. I'm sure I shall be quite saddle-sore but I shall enjoy it."